Neoprene Shoulder Brace... for my rotator cuff.. Bionic man?

[brunester]

Hi,
So I have not swung a stick in 2 years, this is because I threw a wrap wrong, twisted, and my rotator cuff went kaputz.

I really want to get back into it.
I recently saw this:
http://www.amazon.com/EVS-SB03-Shoulder-Brace-Large/dp/B003RLFJYQ/ref=pd_sbs_sg_5
which is a neoprene shoulder brace... to keep your rotator cuff in...

My question, should you choose to answer is:
Has anyone used one of these before? Am I kidding myself?

Thank you,
-Eric.
I did search but found nothing, sorry if I missed it.

[Owynn Greenwood]

let me know how this works out. I have a torn rotator cuff.

[Yann de Kerhouarn]

A guy local to me uses one successfully on his shield arm fighting centergrip.

[Denewulf]

I'd be interested to know of anyone else's experience with this. I have a rotator impingement that I'm presently in physical therapy for, but it's becoming more and more likely that I'll be having surgery in a few weeks (clavicular resection). I'll follow doc's orders in rehab and healing, but I intend to get back to fighting as quickly as possible.

[brunester]

be careful and take your time getting back into it. I have re injured myself 3 times trying to jump back in.
I think I'm going to get one

[Baron Alcyoneus]

Have you seen a doctor, brunester?

I wore out one shoulder fighting with my shield extended for 20 years (the other shoulder was only a little better), and physical therapy really helped.

[brunester]

Yes i have,
Im pretty bad about the physical therapy, hard to find time to do it every day.
Its allot better now... but im still scared of doing it again?

I think most of the benefit from the should brace type thing would be the mental reasurrance.

[Steven H]

I'd talk to your physical therapist about it. Not us. None of us has examined you or actually knows what's wrong.

However, your PT probably has a doctorate in her field, the notes from your orthopedist and has worked with you.

As a generalization, in sports, braces and the like are used for transitioning back after severe injuries and especially surgeries. And are not used indefinitely. But I have no possible way of knowing what will work for you.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Steven

[paulb]

Im pretty bad about the physical therapy, hard to find time to do it every day.

In general, I'd recommend a combination of physical therapy and the Egoscue therapy. However, given your statement above, neither one is going to work for you.

Regards,

[Maeryk]

Im pretty bad about the physical therapy, hard to find time to do it every day.

In general, I'd recommend a combination of physical therapy and the Egoscue therapy. However, given your statement above, neither one is going to work for you.

Regards,

THIS. WHen my shoulder starts to act up (and I mean to the point where I'm getting rib pain in the front because I'm favoring it so badly) I find the Egoscue "pain free workout" a couple of times a week to be VERY helpful.. even though it hurts like hell the first couple of times you do it. (not while you are doing it.. but the day after.. you will KNOW what is misaligned, without any doubt). It's 0 impact.. but it _works_.

[brunester]

Im pretty bad about the physical therapy, hard to find time to do it every day.

In general, I'd recommend a combination of physical therapy and the Egoscue therapy. However, given your statement above, neither one is going to work for you.

Regards,

thank you for the responses. where could I find information about the egoscue therapy?

[Maeryk]

Google "egoscue method"

[brunester]

haha simple enough

[Steven H]

The examples of Egoscue stuff I found were all not surprising to me. That's because I'm studying for my Doctor of Physical Therapy. But it's stuff I'm learning in my Undergrad classes as part of prep for a DPT program. So it aint revolutionary, or unknown to PT's. It's things I learned before even entering a PT program.

A book, or the internet, cannot diagnose or treat your orthopedic problem. A licensed practitioner can by hands-on examination. Please talk to your PT about your questions. And feel free to get a second opinion from another DPT if you have concerns.

Cheers,
Steven

P.S. Egoscue claims a 95% success rate, which would make it one of the most successful medical interventions ever created by all of humankind. Or in other words it sets off my bullshit detector.

[Maeryk]

The examples of Egoscue stuff I found were all not surprising to me. That's because I'm studying for my Doctor of Physical Therapy. But it's stuff I'm learning in my Undergrad classes as part of prep for a DPT program. So it aint revolutionary, or unknown to PT's. It's things I learned before even entering a PT program.

A book, or the internet, cannot diagnose or treat your orthopedic problem. A licensed practitioner can by hands-on examination. Please talk to your PT about your questions. And feel free to get a second opinion from another DPT if you have concerns.

Cheers,
Steven

P.S. Egoscue claims a 95% success rate, which would make it one of the most successful medical interventions ever created by all of humankind. Or in other words it sets off my bullshit detector.

it can set it off all you want, but the testimonials on his site, along with all the people I know (myself included) who have seen marked improvement, and callers to his radio show speak for themselves.

Simply put, there are very few ways Egoscue can do anything _but_ help.

[paulb]

Steven,

Egoscue uses techniques from anywhere useful techniques can be found. It's the approach that makes the difference.

When my back was at it's worst, PT wasn't helping, and the advice of the orthopedist was "When you can't put up with the pain, we'll fuse the vertebrae causing the problem."

You're right about the hands-on approach being the best, but the self-help book allowed me to stop my back pain when I had reached the end of my pain tolerance. That was 5 years ago - just before I was going to ask for the operation. The pain hasn't come back, I can stand up straight again, and my range of motion and overall functionality have improved significantly.

Regards,

[Steven H]

it can set it off all you want, but the testimonials on his site, along with all the people I know (myself included) who have seen marked improvement, and callers to his radio show speak for themselves.

Simply put, there are very few ways Egoscue can do anything _but_ help.

Testimonials don't convince scientists. Data convinces. The plural of anecdote is not data. So what have randomized, controlled studies shown?

And given that he describes principles that showed up in my undergrad coursework, what is he actually doing differently then the modern practice of Physical Therapy?

I'm not actually saying that Egoscue doesn't work. I'm saying that I have not seen a reason to believe it will produce a 95% success rate, or that it is better than typical PT.

But this is off-topic. I simply continue to encourage the OP to seek the in-person advice of a licensed professional.

Cheers,
Steven

[brunester]

ah thanks for the advice peoples,
I have seen the doc and done the PT, but it was 2 years ago and since the doc gave me the OK i pretty much stopped the PT.
Im just really nervous about re injuring myself. I was hoping the brace would offer enough support to give me some confidence....but I guess ill just start up the PT again as well.
Cheers.
-Eric

[Sir Omarad]

The examples of Egoscue stuff I found were all not surprising to me. That's because I'm studying for my Doctor of Physical Therapy. But it's stuff I'm learning in my Undergrad classes as part of prep for a DPT program. So it aint revolutionary, or unknown to PT's. It's things I learned before even entering a PT program.

A book, or the internet, cannot diagnose or treat your orthopedic problem. A licensed practitioner can by hands-on examination. Please talk to your PT about your questions. And feel free to get a second opinion from another DPT if you have concerns.

Cheers,
Steven

P.S. Egoscue claims a 95% success rate, which would make it one of the most successful medical interventions ever created by all of humankind. Or in other words it sets off my bullshit detector.

it can set it off all you want, but the testimonials on his site, along with all the people I know (myself included) who have seen marked improvement, and callers to his radio show speak for themselves.

Simply put, there are very few ways Egoscue can do anything _but_ help.

I agree.
Egoscue is da bomb. (in the vernacular of the children)

[Sir Omarad]

There are also different schools of PT training styles.
I went through 3 different PT "mills" before I found a place that actually helped me.

Oh, and Chiro-one sucks.
(crappy chiropractor chain stores)

[Baron Alcyoneus]

And given that he describes principles that showed up in my undergrad coursework, what is he actually doing differently then the modern practice of Physical Therapy?

I'm not actually saying that Egoscue doesn't work. I'm saying that I have not seen a reason to believe it will produce a 95% success rate, or that it is better than typical PT.

Cheers,
Steven

Are you certain that modern PT hasn't adopted his methods?

[Edward of Yarborough]

Greetings all,
I was a football trainer in high school. That brace looks like the tape job I use to do to a fullback on our football team in high school. The tape job I used was with elastic tape and it looked just like your photo. At least as a fullback he didn't need to raise his arm above his head. He use to just keep his hand on his belt or wrapped around the football (he had the best "no fumble" stats on the team)...Seriously, seek out a sport medicine group (if there is one in the area- here in Montgomery,Al we have a hospital that has a sport's medicine office that does cater to the weekend warrior type).
My best advice is like the others have written, take it slow then listen to your body when it says "enough for today". I know my body cannot do certain things and I try not to force the subject. Hope this helps some...

Been awhile since hs (about 32 years but some lessons never are forgotten).....

Take care and hope you can get back fighting,

Edward of Yarborough

[Steven H]

And given that he describes principles that showed up in my undergrad coursework, what is he actually doing differently then the modern practice of Physical Therapy?

I'm not actually saying that Egoscue doesn't work. I'm saying that I have not seen a reason to believe it will produce a 95% success rate, or that it is better than typical PT.

Cheers,
Steven

Are you certain that modern PT hasn't adopted his methods?

I'm sure that modern PT is a science. So the practices that were adopted were done so because of extensive peer-reviewed studies on specific treatments. Not 'cause some guy wrote a book where he claimed a 95% success rate. No study ever reported a 95% success rate for an orthopedic treatment.

Since PT is a science, I ask you to provide any evidence that his practices were adopted.

And again, the point I wish to make is that the OP should seek the in-person, hands-on care of a licensed professional. One who can put together a care plan based on his specific problem.

Cheers,
Steven

[DanNV]

You're right about the hands-on approach being the best, but the self-help book allowed me to stop my back pain when I had reached the end of my pain tolerance. That was 5 years ago - just before I was going to ask for the operation. The pain hasn't come back, I can stand up straight again, and my range of motion and overall functionality have improved significantly.

Regards,

At Prova 3 years ago, my back was killing me part way through the day. His Grace had me do 3 or 4 quick exercises and I made it through the rest of the day without excruciating pain. I would definitely recommend following his advice.

Dan

[Livia Tasia]

Every single person I have talked to about Egoscue has said it made life changing help to them. To me personal success means just as much as any data.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

And given that he describes principles that showed up in my undergrad coursework, what is he actually doing differently then the modern practice of Physical Therapy?

I'm not actually saying that Egoscue doesn't work. I'm saying that I have not seen a reason to believe it will produce a 95% success rate, or that it is better than typical PT.

Cheers,
Steven

Are you certain that modern PT hasn't adopted his methods?

I'm sure that modern PT is a science. So the practices that were adopted were done so because of extensive peer-reviewed studies on specific treatments. Not 'cause some guy wrote a book where he claimed a 95% success rate. No study ever reported a 95% success rate for an orthopedic treatment.

Since PT is a science, I ask you to provide any evidence that his practices were adopted.

And again, the point I wish to make is that the OP should seek the in-person, hands-on care of a licensed professional. One who can put together a care plan based on his specific problem.

Cheers,
Steven

Looking at Amazon.com, it seems that his first book was published almost 20 years ago, and he began his practice in 1971. (An anatomical functionalist, Pete Egoscue, founder of The Egoscue Method Clinic in San Diego, has been practicing and perfecting his 'Pain Free' method since 1971. He helps more than 25,000 people a year recover from chronic pain. Read more at Amazon's Pete Egoscue Page)

What was the state of physical therapy in 1971 and 1992 (His first book was published no later than 1992)? What has changed since those times? Very little develops in a vacuum, so it is quite possible that advances in physical therapy were adapted by him in his practice, and that his practice led to advances in physical therapy.


I went to a physical therapist after I grew tired of my shoulder subluxating simply from putting my hand in my pocket to reach for my cell phone, or from catching my sleeve on a nail. But that isn't an option for everyone, it is rather expensive even if insurance is picking up part of the tab.